General News of Monday, 17 June 2002

Source: --

Watchdog committee members demonstrates against security forces

Members of the Taifa Watchdog Committee at the weekend demonstrated against the security agencies over the "gruesome murder of innocent citizens," including four of their members.

The four are Nana Yaw Asante, Chairman of the Committee, Livingston Adzigble, Yaowofe Cephas and Armidu Alhassan. Mr Jacob Kwabena Ameyaw, spokesman for the committee told the Ghana News Agency after the five hour demonstration through the principal street of North Taifa that the Police/Military team have killed innocent persons suspected to be armed robbers.

The committee was officially inaugurated by the Mile Seven Police under the command of Inspector General of Police, Ernest Owusu Poku, who is staying at Taifa to assist the Police/military to combat crime and armed robbers in the area, with identification cards given to all the members.

Mr Ameyaw said one Elizabeth alias Awura-Akuamame of Burkina Taifa telephoned the members that some armed robbers have attacked her, so Nana Asante and his five men took a taxi cub to the scene.

He said the woman also gave the same message to the Police/Military team, but when the members of the Watchdog Committee arrived at the house Elizabeth told them that there were no armed robbers.

Mr Ameyaw said they met their death when they were returning to Mr. Asante's house when the Police/Military team fired them on, after they were able to produce their committee identity cards. Mr Frimpong Manso, Assemblyman for the area appealed to the Inspector General of Police to take serious view of the incident to enable the committee members to continue their duties.

He said the committee has helped a lot in combating crime and it was therefore, necessary to give them the needed material and moral support to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.